i enjoyed your review. My take on the book is that Keiko is someone on the spectrum and she has never been accepted for who she is. In the convenience store, her talents blossom. It seems to me that certain people who are highly successful in certain areas of life do not fit in with what we think of as "normal" society. I think her life would be very different if her friends and family didn't constantly try to "fix" her instead of trying get to know her and hear what her own perspective of life is. I loved the part of the store "talking" to Keiko and how the woman working in the store could immediately see Keiko's brilliance. I've worked as a teacher and so often saw children that didn't "fit in" go through so much anguish. Great review, enjoyed your insights.
not many people look at it this way but i agree. In Japan few clinics specialize in Autism unlike the US. When I realized she might be on the spectrum the book clicked together alot easier and made me love it even more.
I’ve read and seen a fair amount of reviews of this book, but I can’t recall any that so strongly lean into the depression side of things. That’s an interesting wrinkle, makes me more excited to check this out. The juxtaposition of the light and breezy style with the depression content sounds intriguing. So good, as always!
Thanks Rick. My depression angle might be a bit reaching but I was surprised that it wasn't even too hinted at by reviews I've heard about for this book, maybe because its charm does outweigh it overall I'd say.
I just finished this. I like your comment on high functioning depression and seeing how it affected Keiko. I felt relief when she says she finally has "silence." I couldn't help but feel dread for Keiko. I am glad that the book ends the way it does because I think it is the best ending for her, but this is one of the few books I have read with neurodiversity, so it didn't feel like a light read to me personally. I think your description of purgatory is exactly what I felt from it.
Sayaka Murata definitely sparked something in me that made me see myself but also repel away from parts of Keiko that made me think about why. Did you hear about Murata's new book coming out soon? Heard it's a bit weirder but I'm curious how another one of her works translated will make me feel. If you pick it up I hope you enjoy it, too!
Is it bad that I always feel like I have a crush on anyone who buys this book from the shop? Haha, it's not often we get books in that I really love, and love to sell, and I know I haven't read this, but like, I totally think that people who do read it are the sort of people that I would like. I say this as if I've sold so many copies of this, but I've sold one... haha, and then I went on to gush about Hiromi Kawakami whilst fluttering my eyelashes. I loved hearing your thoughts on this book, and hearing your fresh take on a lot of things that many people sort of leave out of their reviews. I REALLYYY think you will LOVE The Nakano Thrift Shop (especially since I've seen you enjoyed Strange Weather in Tokyo) so... you know... go forth and read that now! Poor Keiko, "why can't you be normal?" BITCH PLEASE! Hahaha.
Nakano Thrift Shop is next on my list! It's funny because Keiko does have thoughts along those lines, basically lol but she also could easily have the characteristics of a sociopath but she seems to approach everything from a level of curiosity despite her sharp assessments of people that usually end up being good depictions of their character???? So what I'm trying to say is that I want Keiko to roast me lol
I liked your review. I was planning on reading this book because its gotten so many positive reviews. Quirky has been the general consensus, but your discussion of the greater depth of the book makes it seem even more interesting.
Thanks Brian. I wish I could find more reviews that tap into the depression angle--I could be reaching so who knows, but I'm sure it's out there somewhere
I loved how you read the book! I interpreted it quite differently and have just talked about it in my January wrap up (it's uploading right now :)). Your comments toward the end on normality and happiness reminded me of Jeanette Winterson's autobiography "Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal" which I think you might like. ;)
"I can only imagine it takes so much energy to write such a dumb character" had me replaying that part then laughing. 😂 I agree with what you said abt the book not trying to be persuasive. I feel like a lot of Japanese fiction brings light to a certain way of viewing the world, but ultimately leaves it to the reader to make up their mind abt whether they agree with said viewpoint - instead of trying to impose the author's own set of values. Lovely to see you, always!
Actually a good review, subscribed. If you also enjoy Kawakami I would recommend Manazuru by her. Although Thrift Shop and Strange Weather are her more commonly enjoyed books I found much more depth in many respects with Manazuru. Its a lot more ambiguous and you may even need to look up some analysis to get the full picture but, much like Convenience Store Woman, its quite gripping in an odd way. It talks about things like cheating, pregnancy, miscarriage and loss in general but in a very existential way.
Cole thank you! And I have been suggested Thrift Shop as the next stepping stone in her work, but I do feel like there was that sense of depth amiss in Strange Weather that I was looking for, so I’ll probably go for Manazuru next instead, thanks for the suggestion!
Hi! I personally do not think this book needs a trigger warning, I think my reading of it was a little too reading too much into it, but otherwise there were parts in it I actually found humorous in a deadpan way to contrast its depressive tones. I hope you like it!
i enjoyed your review. My take on the book is that Keiko is someone on the spectrum and she has never been accepted for who she is. In the convenience store, her talents blossom. It seems to me that certain people who are highly successful in certain areas of life do not fit in with what we think of as "normal" society. I think her life would be very different if her friends and family didn't constantly try to "fix" her instead of trying get to know her and hear what her own perspective of life is. I loved the part of the store "talking" to Keiko and how the woman working in the store could immediately see Keiko's brilliance. I've worked as a teacher and so often saw children that didn't "fit in" go through so much anguish. Great review, enjoyed your insights.
not many people look at it this way but i agree. In Japan few clinics specialize in Autism unlike the US. When I realized she might be on the spectrum the book clicked together alot easier and made me love it even more.
I’ve read and seen a fair amount of reviews of this book, but I can’t recall any that so strongly lean into the depression side of things. That’s an interesting wrinkle, makes me more excited to check this out. The juxtaposition of the light and breezy style with the depression content sounds intriguing. So good, as always!
Thanks Rick. My depression angle might be a bit reaching but I was surprised that it wasn't even too hinted at by reviews I've heard about for this book, maybe because its charm does outweigh it overall I'd say.
I just finished this.
I like your comment on high functioning depression and seeing how it affected Keiko. I felt relief when she says she finally has "silence."
I couldn't help but feel dread for Keiko. I am glad that the book ends the way it does because I think it is the best ending for her, but this is one of the few books I have read with neurodiversity, so it didn't feel like a light read to me personally. I think your description of purgatory is exactly what I felt from it.
Sayaka Murata definitely sparked something in me that made me see myself but also repel away from parts of Keiko that made me think about why. Did you hear about Murata's new book coming out soon? Heard it's a bit weirder but I'm curious how another one of her works translated will make me feel. If you pick it up I hope you enjoy it, too!
@@whatpageareyouon I hadn't heard about the new book, but I'll keep an eye out for it. Thanks for the insightful reply!
This is a really great review, very insightful.
Thank you for your thoughtful review of this book. I keep hearing things about it but this is the first review that's made me want to read it.
Bookish Islander oh wow! That’s so nice of you to say 😌 I hope if/when you get to it you enjoy it!
Is it bad that I always feel like I have a crush on anyone who buys this book from the shop? Haha, it's not often we get books in that I really love, and love to sell, and I know I haven't read this, but like, I totally think that people who do read it are the sort of people that I would like.
I say this as if I've sold so many copies of this, but I've sold one... haha, and then I went on to gush about Hiromi Kawakami whilst fluttering my eyelashes.
I loved hearing your thoughts on this book, and hearing your fresh take on a lot of things that many people sort of leave out of their reviews. I REALLYYY think you will LOVE The Nakano Thrift Shop (especially since I've seen you enjoyed Strange Weather in Tokyo) so... you know... go forth and read that now!
Poor Keiko, "why can't you be normal?" BITCH PLEASE! Hahaha.
Nakano Thrift Shop is next on my list! It's funny because Keiko does have thoughts along those lines, basically lol but she also could easily have the characteristics of a sociopath but she seems to approach everything from a level of curiosity despite her sharp assessments of people that usually end up being good depictions of their character???? So what I'm trying to say is that I want Keiko to roast me lol
I liked your review. I was planning on reading this book because its gotten so many positive reviews. Quirky has been the general consensus, but your discussion of the greater depth of the book makes it seem even more interesting.
Thanks Brian. I wish I could find more reviews that tap into the depression angle--I could be reaching so who knows, but I'm sure it's out there somewhere
I loved how you read the book! I interpreted it quite differently and have just talked about it in my January wrap up (it's uploading right now :)). Your comments toward the end on normality and happiness reminded me of Jeanette Winterson's autobiography "Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal" which I think you might like. ;)
I really enjoyed your unique take on this much reviewed book. Now I want to read it, as before it didn't appeal to me. Thanks for the new perspective.
Always a pleasure to provide some intrigue to a book! Especially one like this one. I look forward to hearing what you think about it
Very thorough review, fine to listen to, thanks!
Thank you!
"I can only imagine it takes so much energy to write such a dumb character" had me replaying that part then laughing. 😂
I agree with what you said abt the book not trying to be persuasive. I feel like a lot of Japanese fiction brings light to a certain way of viewing the world, but ultimately leaves it to the reader to make up their mind abt whether they agree with said viewpoint - instead of trying to impose the author's own set of values.
Lovely to see you, always!
Thanks Catherine
Interesting review, Alex. I made a purchase request for this book from my public library. 🤞🏼 Hoping it arrives soon.
Thank you! I hope you like it as much as I did
Actually a good review, subscribed. If you also enjoy Kawakami I would recommend Manazuru by her. Although Thrift Shop and Strange Weather are her more commonly enjoyed books I found much more depth in many respects with Manazuru. Its a lot more ambiguous and you may even need to look up some analysis to get the full picture but, much like Convenience Store Woman, its quite gripping in an odd way. It talks about things like cheating, pregnancy, miscarriage and loss in general but in a very existential way.
Cole thank you! And I have been suggested Thrift Shop as the next stepping stone in her work, but I do feel like there was that sense of depth amiss in Strange Weather that I was looking for, so I’ll probably go for Manazuru next instead, thanks for the suggestion!
Hi, Do you think the book needs a trigger warning? I'm debating reading it?
Hi! I personally do not think this book needs a trigger warning, I think my reading of it was a little too reading too much into it, but otherwise there were parts in it I actually found humorous in a deadpan way to contrast its depressive tones. I hope you like it!